McDermott Will & Emery
444 West Lake Street
Chicago, IL 60606
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 372-2000
Sitting comfortably among the V100 law firms, McDermott is best known for its work in health care and tax—though its practices extend far beyond. The firm is forward thinking when it comes to wellness, offering lawyers billable credit for 25 wellness hours, and will appeal to those seeking a collegial, supportive environment.
Total No. Attorneys (2022)
No. of Partners Named (2021)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2020)
No. of Summer Associates (2022)
Base Salary
McDermott associates agree: it’s good to be at McDermott. Associates praise almost everything about the firm, from the hiring process all the way to partnership prospects. Firm culture is described as a perfect blend of great people and great work, a healthy dose of socializing mixed with a “chill” office vibe,generally down-to-earth attitudes, and a noticeable absence of ego and hierarchy even among partners. The almost 1:1 ratio of associates to partners greatly helps in building strong mutual relationships. The level of transparency from the top down is almost unheard of in BigLaw, thanks largely to the firm’s chairman, who hosts regular “town hall” meetings to keep associates apprised of the firm’s financials. Billables, bonus calculations, how the firm spends its money—little...
A Chicago institution since the 1930s, McDermott Will & Emery has, in recent decades, broadened its gaze to new markets in the United States and abroad. The strategy has paid off in spades, with McDermott firmly ensconced among the world’s largest and most elite law firms.
A Windy Start
McDermott opened for business in 1934 as a tax firm run by Edward H. McDermott and William M. Emery. A mere seven years later, the third and final name partner was added in corporate specialist Howard A. Will. The firm’s name has remained the same ever since, a remarkable feat of continuity in the modern atmosphere of shortened firm names, legal mergers, and buyouts. McDermott added an Estate Planning division in 1941, and by 1944, the firm had burgeoned to 16 lawyers. Over the next half c...
We don’t just invest in your future, we act as a career accelerant to propel you along your journey, wherever it may lead. And even as we celebrate hard work and excellence, we emphasize happiness—encouraging a rich, full life outside the office. It’s all part of our #AlwaysBetter mantra, as we strive to bring our best to our clients and each other every day.